March 3, 2021, Los Angeles/Windsor, California –— Robert (Bob) Adam Stein passed away peacefully on February 16 at his home in Pacific Palisades from an extended battle with leukemia. He is survived by his wife Renée Brown Stein and sons Jared Stein and David Stein and grandchild Max Stein.
He and Renée acquired the 710-acre property in Sonoma County in 1991 when it was known as Balverne Cellars. Consisting of 208 acres planted to 16 varietals, the estate encompasses two AVAs — Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill. The Steins donated 350 acres to Sonoma County Open Space District in 1998 to ensure that it would remain as a wilderness preserve in perpetuity.
Over the last decades he had a vision for the property which was based on sustainable farming practices and a commitment to the environment. During this time, he developed two estate-wine-based brands, Notre Vue Estate and Balverne, as well as being known for providing super-premium grapes to other wineries.
Mr. Stein was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from Claremont College with a degree in finance. His first career was as an accountant and he later become known as a leader in the metal industry. He was an entrepreneur in various businesses, including having founded a bank on Catalina Island and establishing a yacht building company.
He could often be found at Notre Vue walking the vineyards with his team and also enjoyed participating in tasting trials with the winemakers, as well as meeting customers and club members at events at the winery.
The winery will hold a celebration of his life at a future date.
The family suggests a gift in his honor to advance Dr. Gary Schiller’s leukemia research at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
